AIA’s 100th President: Kimberly Dowdell

AIA celebrated Kimberly Dowdell’s inauguration as AIA’s 100th President this past December at the annual Governance Week. As the incoming 2024 President, Kimberly will be succeeding Emily Grandstaff-Rice and preceding Evelyn Lee. This is the first time that the AIA will have three consecutive women architects at the helm. Along with Lakisha Ann Woods CAE in the EVP/CEO position, it will also be the first time the AIA will have two Black women leading its organization.

During Kim’s tenure as President of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) in 2019-2020, the presence and impact of NOMA was never greater. She focused on elevating the organization at a critical time in our nation’s and our profession’s history and continues to elevate the AIA by emphasizing its mission and relevance in society. With climate action and equity as the two pillars of AIA’s current strategic plan, the role architects play is critical.

“For my third year as an At-Large Director on the AIA National Board, I will be honored to work alongside Kim as our 100th President. Kim is a thoughtful and natural leader with eyes on bringing a diverse and inclusive posture to our profession. She is focused on the welfare of architects as much as she is on the mission and value of what architects bring to our public and collective life. Congratulations to Kim on her inauguration in Washington D.C. as our incoming 2024 AIA President. She promises to bring “more in ’24”!”
Laura Lesniewski, FAIA, LEED AP, WELL AP / BNIM Principal and AIA At-Large Director AIA Board of Directors

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PHOTO COURTESY: AIA, PHOTOGRAPHER: PAIGE MCWHORTER
2024 AIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS. KIMBERLEY DOWDELL- THIRD FROM RIGHT. LAURA LESNIEWSKI – THIRD FROM LEFT.
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